It's 7am in the morning and Teddy Bear sits dejectedly against the wall on the ground. It's raining; he's all cold and wet.
F: Hi there. Sorry to bother you but are you alright?
TB: Is this a trick question?
F: I was just wondering if you're needing any help I mean.
TB: Sorry I don't mean to be rude. But obviously its not everyday when you see someone get tossed out in the street like this. But judging from the economic conditions (ironic laugh), I'm just another contributing statistic of the unemployed.
F: I'm sorry to hear that. I can see what you mean.....You see, I'm heading off to work and the company is retrenching at the moment. So everyone at work are all sitting on pins now.
TB: Tough. It's one thing to be a statistic - but believe me when you're the one staring it in the face, no one is going to care if you've got kids to feed, or a mortgage to pay or medical bills to take care of.
But do you know what's the worst of it? It's the pain of being told that you're not good enough to stay; not worthy enough to do what you're supposed to do - it's too much to bear for my polyester heart.
(Pauses a moment)
The indignity of redundancy: that's what it is ....an indignity.
F: I really don't know what to say.
But in times like these, despite not having a job, you still have other things - two eyes, a mouth, a nose...you can still walk, you can still talk, you can move , you can do things. You can do other things and not necessarily what you were doing before.
(Pause)
TB: I suppose. But let me a moment here on my own. I need time for myself.
F: I understand. Excuse me, but I have to go; am running a bit late now (looks at watch)
TB: You go on then....oh and by the way.....
F:...yes?
TB: I'm a PANDA bear....not a teddy bear.
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